Skip to main content

A ragtop Nissan GT-R? And we thought Godzilla couldn’t get any more insane

Newport Convertible Engineering is at it again, reshaping the infamous shark-like  Nissan GT-R by cutting its head off.

I rather like the idea of blasting my way from a standstill to 60 in 3.0 seconds inside an open-air Japanese monster. The sound emitted from that glorious 3.8-liter, 548 horsepower V6 bouncing off its redline to the world would only make the experience all the more thrilling.

A few problems I foresee, besides losing my hair in the open cockpit, is how the rag top will be able to hold up. The GT-R is a jaw-dropping vehicle and nothing would be lamer than seeing someone punch it, only to have the roof blown off. Structural improvements will surely have to be made, and no offense to NCE, but the engineers at Nissan are hard to compete with.

The company plans to produce a limited number of convertible GT-Rs for a global audience, but that is just about the only information provided. NCE has a history of chopping off other vehicles tops but none this formidable.

I’m not sure about you, but I certainly wouldn’t dare a top speed run with only a rag top over my head in such a vicious vehicle. Then again, leaving nothing but burnt tarmac behind, as reality becomes a blur, would be all the more surreal with an open-air GT-R.   

Editors' Recommendations

Joe Mahan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joe Mahan is an intern at Digital Trends working in the Cars section. He is currently a Junior at the University of Portland…
Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?
Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.

Read more
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan gets new face, bigger battery
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan front-quarter view.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan arrived during the 2022 model year as the flagship of Mercedes' EV fleet. But now that it's been on sale for a few years, it's time for this flagship to get a refit so that it can stay competitive with other six-figure electric sedans like the BMW i7, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model S. The updated EQS sedan is scheduled to reach dealerships later this year as a 2025 model.

One of the most controversial features of the EQS has been its unorthodox streamlined shape, which makes the EQS one of the most aerodynamic sedans around, but also means it doesn't look much like a traditional Mercedes. For 2025, the EQS takes a step closer to that traditional look with a new grille featuring chrome bars like on the Mercedes S-Class. It also sports the brand's trademark hood ornament.

Read more
Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations
The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Read more